The Van Andel Institute became the parent entity of T-Gen when the two organizations formed an alliance in February 2009. The affiliation was aimed at bringing together VAI’s expertise in basic research and TGen’s strength in bringing treatments quickly to patients.

TGen’s president and scientific director, Jeffrey Trent, was named president and research director at VAI. He will no longer hold that position at VAI, according to the report.

Trent said both organizations agreed to evaluate the pact after three years and decide whether it made sense scientifically and financially to continue. He said they will continue to work on scientific research together, the organizations will be separate.

The Van Andel Research Institute described the change in relationship as "more technical than operational."

Jeffrey Trent

"Our inter-organizational collaborations will not only continue, but are encouraged at every level," the VARI said in a statement. "The relationships forged between our scientists have proven invaluable to each organization and going forward will set the example of what we can achieve together. Both entities look forward to a continued affiliation in the years ahead."

TGen’s annual funding from the Arizona Biomedical Research Commission was cut two years ago from $5.5 million to $3.8 million. The Republic reported:

At the time, the biomedical commission expressed concerns that TGen's pact with an out-of-state research group could impact TGen's contribution to the Arizona economy.

Trent said Friday that those initial fears never materialized as TGen secured grants, conducted research and spun off private companies that have contributed to the Arizona economy. A TGen-commissioned economic study said that in 2010 the research group supported 737 full-time jobs and contributed $4.8 million in state-tax revenue.